Bahraini Short Film Wins Best International Award at Spain’s Almería Film Festival

The Bahraini short film “An Excuse More Beautiful Than a Sin”, directed by Hashim Sharaf, has added another major accolade to its growing list of achievements - winning Best International Short Film at the 15th Almería Film Festival in Spain.

Beating over 30 global entries from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, the film impressed the festival’s jury, who described it as “a unique story with smart direction, skillfully representing all segments of society through a human comedy that resonates across cultures.”

This award, the festival’s highest honor. marks a proud milestone for Bahraini cinema, reflecting its growing artistic maturity and storytelling depth.

Produced with support from the Isa Cultural Centre grant and filmed in Manama, the short tells the whimsical story of a young man trying to bring a horse into his apartment via a narrow staircase, sparking humor and reflection among his neighbors.

Since its debut, the film has toured international festivals from Norway to Morocco, Indonesia to Cyprus, collecting nine awards so far - including the Golden Palm for Best Gulf Film at the Saudi Film Festival and the Silver Sail at the Gulf Radio and Television Festival. It is also set to compete in upcoming events in London, the US, Algeria, Morocco, and Kuwait.

Director Hashim Sharaf shared that the film was inspired by the belief that “an excuse can sometimes be more beautiful than a sin,” symbolizing how mistakes can hide dreams worth chasing. Through its poetic balance of irony and realism, the film captures the beauty of everyday life - proving that even with modest means, Bahraini cinema can captivate the world through authenticity and heart.